Housing estate access ban angers Vic MP

A Labor MP claims the state government has denied him access to local public housing high-rises in Melbourne, slamming the policy as "outrageous" and "undemocratic".

Richmond MP Richard Wynne said he and Cath Bowtell, Labor's candidate for Melbourne in the federal election, were refused entry to the Hoddle Street high-rises on Saturday.

He said he wanted to visit the towers in Collingwood to listen to residents' concerns about an imminent rental increase and to ensure they knew how to register to vote before the September election.

Mr Wynne claimed Victorian Housing Minister Wendy Lovell had instituted a policy of not allowing political parties into the high-rise housing estates.

"My message to her is to back off," he said.

"This is an outrageous policy that is fundamentally undemocratic and restricts the opportunity for residents to have a conversation with their elected member of parliament about issues that are of concern to them."

A Department of Human Services spokesman said there was no ban on anyone visiting tenants in public housing apartments.

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"Visitors, including MPs and candidates, are welcome to contact tenants via the intercom system and it is the tenant's choice whether they wish to invite the person into their apartment," he said.

After complaints from tenants that unwanted flyers were being lodged in their doors, the department changed the access guidelines to ensure tenants have the same protection and privacy as people living in private apartment buildings with secure access, he said.

Under rules, groups allowed general access to the buildings include department staff, emergency services, essential services suppliers and government agencies in the course of normal business.

To access secured residential zones, a person must use their resident swipe card, be buzzed in by a visitor, or be signed in as a tenant visitor by the concierge.